By Bob Hamar
bob.hamar@theindependent.com

The Vikings led by six at the half and trailed by just two going into the final quarter, but Boys Town took control down the stretch and went on to a 79-66 victory.

"For three quarters we were right there," Northwest coach Jeff Korus said. "It was a two-point ball game at the end of three. I think their athleticism took us out of the fourth quarter and they delivered the knockout punch. Boys Town's kids knocked down some big shots."

Isiah Gandy scored 23 points, including 17 in the second half, to lead the Cowboys (14-4).

"I think we wore them down," Boys Town coach Tom Krehbeil said. "We started throwing the ball inside and taking care of the ball a little bit. When you have Isiah Gandy and he starts heating up, we're going to be in pretty good shape.

"He creates so much for his teammates when he's aggressive and when he can rise up and shoot the ball. I think they had a tough time dealing with both the big bodies inside as well as him and Rodney McDonald."

The Vikings (4-11) controlled most of the first half. Northwest got off to a quick start and held a 21-17 lead after the opening quarter. The Vikings kept the pressure up in the second quarter as Nate Cox hit two 3-pointers to help GINW to a 39-33 lead at the half.

Korus said his team recovered well from a 58-50 loss at Holdrege on Friday night.

"I thought our kids did a good job," Korus said. "I was a little worried. We didn't get back into town until after 11 last night after a hard-fought game over in Holdrege.

"Our kids came back and didn't show any ill effects from that. I was proud of our kids for what they did rebounding and running the floor."

Jory Pflasterer led Northwest with 13 points while Adam Wemhoff added 12. Senior Ryan Kieselhorst scored eight points and had seven rebounds.

"Give all the credit in the world to Grand Island Northwest," Krehbeil said. "They've had their struggles this year, but boy that was a great coaching job. Those kids battled and I tell you what, No. 21 (Kieselhorst) can play. He's a good player and they knocked down some shots and gave us everything we wanted. The score was nowhere close to indicative of what kind of game it was."

The Cowboys finally took control of the game in the fourth quarter. A six-point run midway through the period gave Boys Town a 69-60 lead and the Vikings could pull no closer.

Korus said the game was a good experience for his team.

"We stayed with our game plan until Boys Town got a big enough lead to force us to change our game plan," Korus said. "This is what we have to get ready for in districts at UNK and then if we get down to Lincoln."

BOYS TOWN 79, GRAND ISLAND NW 66

BOYS TOWN (14-4)

Gundy 7-16 6-10 23, Battle 4-7 6-7 14, Labron 6-8 5-6 17, Conners 5-9 1-2 11, Nesbitt 0-0 0-0 0, McDonald 2-5 1-2 7, Jones 0-0 0-0 0, McKoy 0-0 0-0 0, Baker 1-3 0-0 2, Brooks 0-0 0-0 0, Graves 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-53 19-25 79.

GRAND ISLAND NW (4-11)

Pflasterer 6-9 1-3 13, Wemhoff 3-9 6-8 12, Englund 3-8 0-0 8, Kieselhorst 3-8 2-6 8, McMahon 0-1 1-2 1, Cox 3-8 0-0 8, Johnson 2-2 0-0 4, Pomajzl 0-0 0-0 0, Stuzman 4-9 0-0 8. Totals 26-61 11-21 66.

Boys Town 17 16 21 25 79

Grand Island NW 21 18 13 14 66

3-Point goalsBoys Town 6-15 (Gandy 3-9, McDonald 2-2, Williams 1-3, Baker 0-1). Grand Island NW 3-11 (Cox 2-4, Englund 1-4, Pflasterer 0-1, Kieselhorst 0-1, Hadan 0-1). Fouled out Englund, Kieselhorst. Rebounds Boys Town 39 (Battle 15). Grand Island NW 30 (Pflasterer 7, Kieselhorst 7). Turnovers Boys Town 16, Grand Island NW 12. Total foulsBoys Town 16, Grand Island NW 19. TechnicalsNone.